Killie Histories

28/08/2024

Tomorrow night's match is our biggest in Europe since 1970.

Against Dinamo Bacău, Killie went to Romania looking for a result which would take them into the Fairs Cup quarter-final.

George Maxwell, Ross Mathie and Jimmy Cook recall the battle: killiehistories.com/bacau

02/04/2024

Happy retirement, Billy Stark!

Billy played a big part in the 1990s resurrection of Kilmarnock in his partnership with Tommy Burns, both on the park and in the dugout.

After a distinguished playing and coaching career, Billy is retiring this month.

You can hear Billy's thoughts on his time with Killie here: https://www.killiehistories.com/billystark

Scotland Men's Under-19 Head Coach Billy Stark has today announced his decision to retire, following a decorated career as both a player and a coach.

11/12/2023

“5-0 up and we were coasting!”

Yesterday, Killie made it two wins against Celtic in the same season for the first time since 1964/65.

Ronnie Hamilton, our league-winning top scorer, netted one in a thumping win in that campaign.

▶️You can hear Ronnie's thoughts on an all-time classic victory at killiehistories.com/ronniehamilton

04/11/2023

Today is the final home match covered by Killie Magazine #3.

*Lots* of former player content this time:

👕 Retro shirt gallery
❓ The Curious Case of Eric Joly
🏆 Archive interview with Frank Beattie
🐑 A classic Dons win
🔍 Spotted!
⚽️ Kevin McGowne's Player of the Month
🏆 Ray Montgomerie

Get yours in the Club Superstore 👍

26/10/2023

🚨 NEW EPISODE! 🚨

Signing Billy Stark from Celtic was quite the coup for Jim Fleeting’s ambitious Killie.

After an injury-affected first spell, it was Billy’s return in 1992 which marked the start of the crucial Burns-Stark partnership.

As you would expect from Billy Stark, this episode is a reasoned and reflective assessment of his time at Killie. Yes, there was the success of promotion and establishing the club back at the top. But there was also a deep frustration at fans never really seeing the real 'Billy the player'.

▶️ killiehistories.com/billystark

Shares greatly appreciated!👌

07/09/2023

The former player in this month's Killie Magazine is Billy Stark.

Billy was the hand on Tommy Burns' shoulder and his regular lunch companion during the era-defining 1992 to 1994.

Get your copy in the Killie Superstore 👊

And an hour-long podcast episode with Billy - reflecting on his role in a transformational time for the club - is out very soon!

08/08/2023

After a huge win to kick-off 2023/24, why not relive other Killie classics against the Old Firm, in the company of the players themselves?

A good place to start might be Tom Black's 1994 thunderbolt.

📻 killiehistories.com/tomblack

Then dig into 1998, 2012, 2018...and many more!

Bobby Williamson's late Ibrox winner, Ronnie Hamilton's thoughts on Killie battering in FIVE, Paul Clarke's cup shock, Kenny Shiels' tactical insights - there is something for every Kilmarnock fan.

26/07/2023

"Williamson, you're hopeless!"

The less subtle side of Tommy Burns.

Get set for tonight's Raith Rovers match with the story of full-blooded Stark's Park battle in 1993, as told by Raging Bull Bobby and Mavis, the innocent bystander.

📰 killiehistories.com/thewilltowin
📻 killiehistories.com/bobbywilliamson

22/07/2023

Match-winning Premier Division striker buys the Sunday papers with glass bottles!

Tom Brown's story puts perspective on the 1993/94 season.

A Killie cult hero with a tale to tell. Catch up with it on your way to the game.

📰 killiehistories.com/new-beginning
📻 killiehistories.com/tombrown

15/07/2023

A preview of the latest former player piece to feature in Killie Magazine: the incomparable Pat Nevin.

We talked about the genesis and creative process of his latest autobiographical instalment, ‘Football And How To Survive It’.

📰 Get yours from the Club Superstore today!

👉 www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/news/killie-magazine-inside-your-season-opening-special/

Shares appreciated!

26/06/2023

Desperately sad news today that Craig Brown has passed away at the age of 82.

Before the Dundee title win and the outstanding coaching career, it all started, albeit briefly, with Kilmarnock amateurs in 1957.

A giant of the Scottish game.

22/06/2023

Very sad news that another of the 1965 legends has passed away.

There will be a further tribute to Pat O'Connor in the July edition of Killie Magazine.

It was with great sadness that Kilmarnock Football Club recently learned of the passing of former player, Pat O’Connor, who died in May this year at the age of 84 following a battle with dementia. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Rugby Park go out to Pat’s family and friends.

16/06/2023

Will the podcast be back for next season?

You bet it will!

Stay tuned…

📻 🔵⚪️

15/06/2023

The new Killie kit is a work of art.

Taking inspiration from our iconic past.

03/06/2023

All good things must come to an end.

Players like Alan Power are few and far between.

He was the engine-room for one of the very best modern Killie teams and will be thought of in years to come as on a par with Manuel Pascali and Mavis Reilly.

Thank you, AlanPower! 👏

23/05/2023

Sad news that former Kilmarnock defender Hugh Strachan, who played in the European run of 1969-70, has passed away at the age of 84.

Everyone at Partick Thistle FC is deeply saddened to learn of the death of former player and 1971 legend Hugh Strachan, who passed peacefully in his sleep earlier today at the age of 84.

Born on the 21st of February, 1939, Hugh Mair Strachan was a proud Ayrshire boy and would represent Cumnock and Troon during his playing career but it was at Motherwell where he enjoyed his professional breakthrough. He would spend five years at Fir Park, seven at Cappielow with Morton and one full season at Kilmarnock before Partick Thistle finally came calling.

And so it would be that, at the age of 31, the legendary Davie McParland brought the experienced defender to Firhill for what would prove to be an unforgettable four-year spell. Proving the perfect foil for the imperious Jackie Campbell in the Jags backline, Strachan’s consistency established him as a favourite with Thistle fans as the club raced to the 1970/71 Scottish Second Division title, climbing back to the top flight with the loss of just three matches in a 36-game league season.

Much, much better was to come, of course, the following autumn when Thistle would embark on a 12 game Scottish League Cup run culminating in the greatest day in the club’s history on the 23rd of October, 1971. So much has been written about that great day when Alex Rae lifted the Scottish League Cup after Thistle defeated Celtic 4-1, Strachan and his defensive team-mates helping reduce the all-conquering opposition to just one Kenny Dalglish consolation in the second half. What a sensation, indeed.

All in all, Strachan would appear for Thistle an impressive 174 times between 1970 and 1974, his only goal – fittingly – coming in the League Cup in August 1970, during a win away at Stirling Albion.

Post career, Hugh remained in close contact with his fellow 1971 legends, many of whom visited him in Ayrshire in the autumn of 2021 around the 50th anniversary, when only ill health prevented Hugh from joining the various celebrations in Glasgow.

Today, everyone at the club expresses their sorrow for Hugh’s former team-mates, especially the heroes of 1971. Rough, Hansen, Forsyth, Glavin, Campbell, Strachan, McQuade, Coulson, Bone, Lawrie, captain Alex Rae – Hugh Strachan’s name will forever be in Firhill folklore.

Most importantly, we share our sincere condolences with the family and close friends of Hugh, who are in the thoughts of all Thistle supporters at this difficult time. We also express our gratitude and full appreciation to the contribution to our club of a Partick Thistle FC Hall of Famer and league and cup winner.

Rest in peace, Hugh – once a Jag, always a Jag.

https://ptfc.co.uk/ptfc-news/hugh-strachan/

22/05/2023

🚨 NEW EPISODE! 🚨

For the final podcast of the season, a hugely popular grafter who knows what it takes to get the job done.

Iain McCulloch's story is one of hard work rewarded by promotion success at Killie as well as top-level football in England.

▶️ killiehistories.com/iainmcculloch

Shares appreciated!

02/05/2023

💬 "You're in an entertainment industry, and you've got to entertain people. The only way you can entertain them is by giving it your all. Every game."

Coming very soon on the podcast and in Killie Magazine, hard-grafting 1970s fans' favourite, Iain McCulloch!